Latest News in Black Art: Lauren Halsey Takes on Met Museum Rooftop Commission, Michael Armitage Joins David Zwirner, New Lorna Simpson Book & More
Latest News in Black Art features news updates and developments in the world of art and related culture Artist Lauren Halsey. | Photo by Russell Hamilton, Courtesy David Kordansky Gallery Commissions Lauren Halsey is the latest artist commissioned to create a site-specific installation for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s rooftop garden. Titled...
Phillips Collection Hires Chief Diversity Officer, Highlighting His Background in Psychology as ‘New Lens’ for Museum’s Equity and Inclusion Work
THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION in Washington, D.C., named a new chief diversity officer. Yuma Tomes, a psychologist whose experience includes teaching, research, and academic administration, was appointed Horning Chair for Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion. Tomes joined The Phillips Collection in February from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where he had been serving as...
Underground Museum in Los Angeles Announces Departure of Co-Directors and Closure ‘Until Further Notice’
THE UNDERGROUND MUSEUM (UM) in Los Angeles announced “with deep sadness” that it is closing “until further notice” and the tenure of co-directors Meg Onli and Cristina Pacheco has ended. The action also cuts short a long-awaited exhibition of paintings by the museum’s visionary co-founder Noah Davis (1983-2015). The survey opened six weeks ago...
Latest News in Black Art: Obama Presidential Center and Art Institute of Chicago Recognize Sculptor Richard Hunt, Arvie Smith Now Repped by Monique Meloche Gallery & More
Latest News in Black Art features news updates and developments in the world of art and related culture President Barack Obama and Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt discuss the artist’s practice and “Book Bird,” the commissioned work by Hunt that will be on view in the Library Reading Garden outside the new Chicago Public...
Adrienne L. Childs Will Receive 2022 David C. Driskell Prize, Curator Calls Award ‘Unexpected and Extraordinary Honor’
FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES, the David C. Driskell Prize has recognized acclaimed artists and scholars for their contributions to the field of African American art. Recipients have included Kellie Jones, Franklin Sirmans, Valerie Cassel Oliver, Rashid Johnson, Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Lyle Ashton Harris, Mark Bradford, Naima J. Keith, Amy Sherald, and Huey Copeland. Now...
Latest News in Black Art: María Magdalena Campos-Pons Curating Tennessee Triennial, Ferrari Sheppard Now Repped by Mariane Ibrahim Gallery, Julie Dash Contributing to Met Gala Exhibition
Latest News in Black Art features news updates and developments in the world of art and related culture María Magdalena Campos-Pons. | Photo by John Russell, Courtesy Vanderbilt University Appointments María Magdalena Campos-Pons is serving as the inaugural consulting curator of the Tennessee Triennial. A Cuban-born artist and educator, Campos-Pons is a...
Latest News in Black Art: California African American Museum and Art + Practice Enter Partnership, Artist Chase Hall Joins Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Black Fashion Fair Magazine Launches & More
Latest News in Black Art features news updates and developments in the world of art and related culture Artist Chase Hall in his studio. | Photo by Clément Pascal Representation Galerie Eva Presenhuber announced its representation of Chase Hall, who lives and works in New York. The artist said he was happy...
American Folk Art Museum Will Honor Artists Faith Ringgold, Bisa Butler, and Brian Donnelly (KAWS) at 60th Anniversary Gala
THREE OF THE MOST creative and relevant artists working today will be honored by the American Folk Art Museum (AFAM). The museum is paying tribute to Faith Ringgold, Bisa Butler, and Brian Donnelly (a.k.a. KAWS) at its 60th Anniversary Benefit Gala at Gotham Hall in New York on April 7. AFAM describes itself as...
Latest News in Black in Art: Kimberly Drew Joins Pace Gallery as Associate Director, Plus New Appointments at Smithsonian, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Guggenheim & More
Latest News in Black Art features news updates and developments in the world of art and related culture Writer, Curator, and Activist Kimberly Drew. | Photo by Inez & Vinoodh, Courtesy Kimberly Drew and Pace Gallery Appointments Pace Gallery announced the appointment of Kimberly Drew as associate director. Based in New York,...
Latest News in Black Art: Smithsonian Names Inaugural Director of Museum of American Latino, Valerie Cassel Oliver Recognized for Curatorial Excellence, Serpentine Pavilion Design by Theaster Gates Revealed
Latest News in Black Art features news updates and developments in the world of art and related culture Valerie Cassel Oliver. | Photo by Travis Fullerton, Courtesy the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Awards & Honors Valerie Cassel Oliver is receiving the 2022 Audrey Irmas Award for Curatorial Excellence from the Center...
Latest News in Black Art: New University Appointments at Tufts, Temple, and Rutgers, 20,000 Black Memorabilia Objects Headed to Auction, Ghana at Venice Biennale & More
Latest News in Black Art features news updates and developments in the world of art and related culture From left, Jova Lynne starts at Temple Contemporary at Tyler School of Art and Architecture Jan. 31. | Photo by Clare Gotto; Margaret Vendryes officially joins Tufts University in June. | Photo Courtesy Margaret Vendryes...
Latest News in Black Art: Gordon Parks Foundation Names 2022 Fellows, Sable Elyse Smith Joins Regen Projects, Floyd Cooper Wins Coretta Scott King Book Award
Latest News in Black Art features news updates and developments in the world of art and related culture Gordon Parks Foundation 2022 Fellows: From left, Bisa Butler. | Photo by Gioncarlo Valentine; Andre D. Wagner. | Photo by Ike Edeani; and Nicole R. Fleetwood. | Courtesy Gordon Parks Foundation Awards & Honors...
Cleveland Museum of Art Promotes Key Jo Lee to Associate Curator: ‘It Has Been an Honor and Joy to Witness Key Jo’s Evolution as Museum Professional’
THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART (CMA) is elevating Key Jo Lee to associate curator of American art. The news was announced Jan. 18. Lee joined CMA in 2017 as assistant director of academic affairs. In 2021, she was appointed director of academic affairs and associate curator of special projects. Her latest promotion is effective July...
Latest News in Black Art: Georgia Museum Honoring Lou Stovall, Edmonia Lewis Gets Postage Stamp, Steve Locke Now Repped by Alexander Gray & More
Latest News in Black Art features news updates and developments in the world of art and related culture Lou Stovall in the printmaking studio he established adjacent to his Cleveland Park home (1974). | Courtesy Lou Stovall Workshop Awards & Honors Artist and master printer Lou Stovall is receiving the Larry D....
Meagan Burger Joins California’s Orange County Museum of Art as Director of Learning and Engagement
AS IT PREPARES TO WELCOME the public to a new building later this year, the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) announced two new appointments today. Courtenay Finn is joining the Southern California museum as chief curator in March. She is currently chief curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland. Meagan Burger is serving...
Henone K. Girma: Newark Museum of Art Names New Curator of Arts of Global Africa
THE NEWARK MUSEUM OF ART is starting off the new year by welcoming a new member to its curatorial team. Henone K. Girma has been named associate curator of the Arts of Global Africa. Girma joins the Newark Museum of Art in New Jersey from The Africa Center in Harlem, where she served as programs...
On the Rise: 69 Museum Curators and Arts Leaders Who Took on Notable New Appointments in 2021
FIVE YEARS AGO, Culture Type began reporting on new appointments of Black curators, primarily in museums. The first review in 2016 was prompted by findings from the Mellon Foundation (2015) that showed American museums employed very few Black people in positions that shape them in terms of their management and intellectual direction as institutions...
Archive of James Van Der Zee, ‘One of the Nation’s Most Important Picture Makers,’ Headed to Metropolitan Museum of Art in Partnership With Studio Museum in Harlem
WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, PARADES, CHRISTMAS SCENES, and all manner of portraits. The photographs of James Van Der Zee (1886-1983) have come to define 20th century Harlem. His powerful pictures capture the beauty and pride of Black life, documenting everyday moments and special celebrations. His subjects were cosmopolitan Black families, artists, and political leaders—Adam Clayton Powell...
Michael Ray Charles: 20 Years Ago His Potent Images Confronting Racial Stereotypes Were Highly Controversial, Today They Feel Ripe for the Times
TWENTY YEARS AGO, Michael Ray Charles was a rare quantity—a Black contemporary artist with mainstream recognition. His potent and thought-provoking work explored African American representation in popular culture, employed blackface and caricature to confront racial stereotypes, and presented complex images aimed directly at America’s shameful history of slavery, subjugation, racial violence, and white supremacy....
Crystal Williams Appointed President of Rhode Island School of Design: ‘She Has the Expertise and Qualities of Leadership Needed to Meet the Urgency of This Moment and Take RISD Into the Future’
Incoming RISD President Crystal Williams. | Photo by Jo Sittenfeld THE NEXT PRESIDENT of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is Crystal Williams. The school’s board of trustees announced the news this morning. A professor, poet, and diversity advocate, Williams brings more than two decades of higher education experience to RISD. She currently...
